Folded fruits.

[Jerome Marot]

You certainly know about the fruits of the dandelion plant, which are dispersed by wind. They were used as an illustration to a famous French dictionary:

Nouveau Larousse illustré 1897-1904
Larousse / Public domain /Wikipedia

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The fruit i topped by a kind of umbrella, which allows it to fly Marry Poppins style. But I did not realise until today that this umbrella is sensitive to rain and folds when wet:

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The fruits unfold when the weather improves. The 3 pictures were actually taken in reverse order.

 

[Asher Kelman]

I didn’t know there was an illustrated version! This is a treasure!

I had one, in English, but was surprised how it referenced Jews and Hitler! I have always had such a feeling of revulsion to that very useful little book!

So to see the vintage version was an abrupt emotional awakening that shook me to the core. I had totally forgotten it’s existence.

Your lovely vintage copy is a much gentler side of Larousse and such a pleasant eye-opener! I also looked at the latest online modern Larousse and it is again so refreshingly updated!

I will seek an old edition just like yours!

Asher

 

[Jerome Marot]

I didn’t know there was an illustrated version!

All versions of that dictionary are "illustrated", meaning there are 20 pages or so with figures. This is also true today.

I had not thought it referenced "Jews and Hitler" as you wrote. I have a version from the 50s in France, I will look it up. But dictionaries and encyclopaedias are always politically charged. The original Encyclopédie was suppressed (1759) and several of the editors sent to jail or exile.

 

[Asher Kelman]

I have put in a bid for a copy of an early edition in French!

it will be a pleasure for me to re-imagine this treasure of a publication!

Asher